Thursday, May 22, 2008

Believe it or not, I don't have much to tell. Colbey is still grounded, although he told me yesterday, "I think it's a good thing that I'm grounded. I now am using my imagination to play with legos. It's fun." He has a field trip tomorrow and then only three more days left of school. Field day is next week.

Landon is full of stories, as usual and has been enjoying Colbey's grounding as much as Colbey himself. He keeps asking why Colbey is making money and he isn't. Scott told him yesterday that when he got bigger, he could do the things Colbey was doing to make money. (Colbey dog sat for a neighbor this past week.)

Ryleigh has been a real trooper with sharing me for the last several days. I've been helping a neighbor out and watching her boys while she was away and Ryleigh took it very well. I'm sure she'll appreciate me to herself for a bit but other than needing to sit on my lap any time the youngest did and wanting to be pushed on the swing any time the oldest did, she didn't complain at all. Amazingly enough, I was actually coordinated enough to push both of them at the same time without falling down, and my lap is big enough that at one point, I had all three of them on it at once.

Scott is home!! Hallelujah!!! It was a very long while before he got home. Sunday, I thought I was going to die! Ryleigh has never freaked out like she did at church before. I'm sure she was just tired of it only being me for so long. Scott has been giving her "whees" several times each days since his return. (This means holding both of her hands in one of his and swinging her back and forth. She loves it and begs for more and more.) We went on a date to Sam's Club and Walmart Tuesday afternoon and it was sooooooo nice not to have any of the kids with us. I know that makes me sound like a bad parent, but for goodness sake, I need a little "me time" every once in a while. It was fun to be able to play with Scott for the hour or so we were gone.

I've discovered that I don't listen as well as I thought I was listening. Scott asked me the other night if I had heard what Ryleigh had said. I thought I had but when he repeated it, it was so funny and I certainly hadn't heard that!

Scott: Come give me a love.

Ryleigh: No way!

Scott: Please...

Ryleigh: I'm telling mom!

It was so funny!!! How many of these little gems have I missed? I'm trying to listen better.

So in conclusion, I only got one suggestion for reading material. Thank you Amy! I read it that day. It took a bit to get into the book, (The Host by Stephanie Meyer) but I enjoyed it once I got a third of the way into it. Colbey is reading it right now as he has LOTS of time on his hands. I pulled out Orson Scott Card's "Rachel and Leah" and am reading this right now. It's not going to last much longer so I am again calling for suggestions. My stipulations, limited sex, foul language and no child death or abuse. Otherwise, hook me up with anything you think I would like that you've liked. Thanks!!!

Sunday, May 18, 2008

The first Armed Forces Day was celebrated by parades, open houses, receptions and air shows. Armed Forces Day is celebrated annually on the third Saturday of May, and Armed Forces Week begins on the second Saturday of May and ends on the third Sunday of May.Because of their unique training schedules, National Guard and Reserve units may celebrate Armed Forces Day/Week over any period in May.The purpose of Armed Forces day is to honor Americans serving in the five services - the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard.

What is going on!?!?!? Thursday went by and now it's Sunday again. Where did my blogging commitment go to???? Oh, the shame of being a slacker when everyone and their super intelligent reading dog can see what a sham of a commitment follower I am! : )

Well, I'll tell you, it's not only the blog that's suffering. I took Scott to the airport Wed. morning (waaaaay too early) and that just put me off my entire schedule! I completely forgot about mutual (Scouts) for Colbey that night and I've been getting to sleep at crazy times. (2am, 5am, 11pm - an early night for me, etc.) I blame it all on Scott for messing me up Wed. morning! OK, so it's hard to blame him when he's 1000 miles away, but what sane person wants to blame themselves when they've got such an accommodating husband that will bear the brunt of it?

So this past week has been a sad and lonely existence for me. My sweetheart has left me for greener pastures in the form of parents and sister. Oh the torment! The agony of the parting! So what if Sarah has rocketed to a higher echelon of existence with a degree in Pharmaceuticals, does that lower my appeal? I have skills you know. I can shave my legs in 30 seconds flat and still have most of my skin in tact. I can hug any one of our children and let them snuggle into me knowing full well that my top will be smeared with snot when they are done. I can check the caller id and decide NOT to answer my phone. That one's an especially hard skill to acquire. I'm a talented individual, don't you agree?

Speaking of talent, Colbey's band award ceremony was this past week. He came home with a gold medal for his solo performance. He's very proud of his achievements! So are we. We told him to ham it up for a picture of he and his friends. Notice how thoroughly he hams it up. Obviously, he didn't get his outgoing personality from me.

On a sadder note, he has lost most of his privileges until Scout camp in a month. He's not allowed to touch anything electronic, nor play with friends. We had a long talk about why this came to be and I asked him if he thought I was being unfair. He didn't respond. I asked him if he thought that his actions were appropriate and again met with no response. So I told him if he wanted to talk to me about it, I was always available. Boys are such a pain!!! Open your mouths and talk for heavens sake! I'm looking for an apology. I understand that he has reached a point in his life that is hailed as the teenage years and sullenness and rebellion are considered normal, but I don't think it NEEDS to be normal. We are good friends and able to talk, but I am also his mom and deserve the respect that comes with this calling. So there! Now you know.

Landon is loving the forced banishment of nearly all of Colbey's outside interests. Yesterday they made a very elaborate castle out of legos. It was pretty cool. They all went out to splash in the pool last night. We should have done it before the sun was heading down because the water was pretty chilly, but they had a really good time. All three of them in red bathing suits. I wish I had gotten a picture.

So my VERY exciting news was a phone call I received last night. As I was talking with Scott before going to bed, the other line rang. I couldn't tell who it was so asked Scott to wait for a minute while I checked to see. It was an inactive member who I've gotten close with. In the condensed version of the conversation, I was asked to pick up her daughter and take her to church today. She asked if I would mind doing that every now and then. DO I MIND?!?!?! I can't even tell you how THRILLED I am!!!!! I don't know which of her daughters, but I don't care. One soul at a time.

The family is doing well. Less than two weeks left of school. The boys are thrilled, me - not so much. I will enjoy sleeping past 6:30 every morning, but I'm dreading the inevitable ... "I'm bored!" which always comes shortly after their release from the school torture chambers.

So if I can end on a question ... I have MORE than thoroughly enjoyed Stephanie Meyer's Twilight series (although I am not happy how the third book ended and her forth is still several months out before being released - @*&!*!*%). I like the tension in the book without all the sex and foul language. So I'm looking for a new book or series that holds the same excitement with a higher moral standard than most writers are using. If you have a book or series that you think might fit this, please let me know in a comment. By the way, I empathize way too much so if there is anything about the death of a child in it or abuse of a child, I will not read it so don't suggest it. I need my heart in tact. Anything dealing with children shreds it and I'm depressed for days.